For halosphere

[cattygabriel]

[In response to this thread]

 

Gabriel had neglected his duties for far too long. His assistants took care of his paperwork when he was away, of course, but he often felt guilty about it on his return. And now he needed something for his mind to focus on, to push all memories of Michael and Raphael away.

The hurt in Michael's eyes as he forcefully Banishes Gabriel from his room and Binds him out...

Raphael's words tearing at him from the inside...

Despite the warm glow of the Presence, Heaven feels strangely empty as he finally lands...

Gabriel let very few people in to that extent, gave them that much trust, and in fact there were only four beings he had been that close to. Lucifer had Fallen, and now he couldn't speak to Michael and Raphael didn't wish to see him. Not even pausing to rest or see Uriel - if Uriel, too, had a nasty surprise for him, Gabriel didn't think he could face it at the moment - he had gone straight to his office.

  After having read through the files of reports he had missed while away, he set about reorganising them - Lucifer had often teased him about his 'monster of a filing system that nobody else could make sense of' - , editing and rewriting reports, checking statistics, vetting forms, and burying himself in paperwork.

He sensed the Metatron's Presence outside his door, but barely looked up even as he waved a hand to make the door open; he and the Voice of God had never been close. Metatron entered, a stack of papers topped with an official-looking scroll in his fiery golden hands. He put them in Gabriel's in-tray. "There are a few official changes to be filed in the individual personnel files, and a pending order."

Gabriel glanced up. "Pending order?"

Metatron's glorious golden face remained inscrutable. "No changes will be made to the status of the angels concerned as of now, but should anything arise, there will be a complication." He turned and left the office as Gabriel curiously pulled the top scroll towards him, unrolling it. Dark blue eyes widened as he took in the angelic script before him.


At the request of the Archangel Rāphā’ēl ,

Should the order to Fell either or both of the Archangels Mîkhā'ēl and Gaḇrîʼēl ever be given, the Archangel Rāphā’ēl is to Fall in their place.

Should any displinary action be taken against the Archangel Mîkhā'ēl, the Archangel Gaḇrîʼēl , or Azîrāphā’ēl Principality of Albion, the Archangel Rāphā’ēl will bear any and all disciplinary action in their stead.

Signed and Approved by
the Metatron
מיטטרון

Gabriel stared at the parchment before him, unable to believe what he had just read. 

Have you done something I should know about, Raphael?

Don't ask me!  

I hate you! I always have! You're no better than any demon because you let someone believe a lie!
 
Creases spread in the parchment as Gabriel's fingers tightened. "What have you done, Raphael?" he whispered.

 

Comments

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

His eyes snapped open and he gasped sharply, as if he had been a drowning man being pulled from the sea. 

Gabriel...?

A flash of lightning lit up the sky, flickering through the branches to reveal a very familiar face to go with the warm presence touching him.

Gabriel.

Unable to control himself he threw himself at him, wrapping his arms tightly around his shoulders (hand still fisting the miserable-looking stubby feather). Fresh tears streamed down his damp cheeks.

"I'm so sorry!" he wailed, shoulders trembling as deep sobs wracked through him. His feathers shook. "I love you so much Gabriel! I just couldn't... couldn't tell you why I hurt so and..." He buried his face in the Messenger's robes, hands fisting in the fabric as the remainder of his words became incoherent babbling. 

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel continued kneeling stiffly, making no move to hug back. "Make up your mind, Raphael."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

"I never... I never did ha-hate you..." His voice was strained and choked. "How could I! I... I love you like a brother, Gabriel..."

He had shared his special place with him. He had sobbed in his arms and laughed and acted like a child with him. He had given him a gift (now nothing more than a soaked stem with a few tufts poking out if it), had promised to take the Fall for him...

"I love you," he sniffled. "Please please forgive me..."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel was silent for a moment, before the Angel of Mercy wrapped his arms around his little brother.

"I never thought anyone could be more idiotic than Michael." He drew back, pulling the scroll out of his pocket and holding it up. "Why?"

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

He melted in the embrace, his entire body trembling from the sobs that still tried to tear through his weak form. He grasped tightly at the Messenger's robes, supremely terrified that he would leave him there alone.

He saw the scroll and his heart sank. He knew he knew he knew... Swallowing the lump in his throat he realized, after what he had done, he deserved the truth.

"I... I never wanted you to worry about Falling..." he whispered, unable to get his raw throat to raise his voice any higher. "I couldn't bear to see you and Michael -*hic!*- torn away from the Presence. I wanted you- you to be ha-happy." He clenched his eyes shut, his tongue still forming words around the secret he had never wanted to be allowed in the spoken word. "...I love you. How could I- I not do something?" For God so loved the world... Swallowing again he continued. "Gabriel I... I'm Bound to that Promise... It's irreversible because- because I made the Deal in blood."

And there it was, his vulnerable sould ripped out for all of Creation to see. Not only had he agreed to take the Fall for another, but he had done the most Binding Promise of all.

And now Gabriel knew, and all the gentle Healer could do was weep as the sky above seemed to cry out with him.

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel stared at him, horrified, mind casting about for ways to reverse it.

"Our corporations are only temporary," he said, moistening his lips. "Blood shouldn't have a hold over us. I outrank you, I should be able to do something about it. Why, Raphael? Did you think Michael and I really were that close to Falling? I was avoiding him for that very reason; I'd never have done anything to endanger him, and now you've gone and done this. There was no need." It hurt to think that Raphael had gone and done this for nothing.